The Effects Of Specific Respiratory Frequency On Heart Rate Variability And Emotional States

Objective: Through the analysis of differences of breathing rate that influence experimenters who have had different sports training and respiratory regulation experience, this experiment try to identify the breathing frequency range which can produce positive role for HRV and emotional state of athletes,so as to provide a basis of empirical research for the regulation of psychological and physiological state of athletes.Method: According to different major,the students were divided into athlete group(n=60) and nonathlete group(n=30),respiratory regulation group(n=30)and no respiratory regulation group(n=30).Every student underwent four respiratory frequency conditions which were all below the normal respiratory frequency range of adult. (paced with 4/min,6/min, 8/min, 10/min) .Each condition had 3 phases:baseline phase-experimental phase-recovering phase.In each phase, frequency domain indexes of HRV were assessed by HRV analytical software. After a condition, subjects rated their emotional state by filling in the Self-Assessment Manikin ,SAM. In this affective rating system, the three basic emotional dimensions including valence, arousal, and dominance are assessed.Conclusion: 1. TP which reflect the integration of autonomic function in the overall significantly increased, with the respiratory rate decreased, this suggests that the regulation of the low frequency respiration can improve vagal tone and the integration of autonomic nerve function.2. In the four respiratory frequency VLF were significantly reduced, but the changing value (test value - baseline value) had no significant difference, it indicates that the influence of different respiratory rate on the sympathetic nerve is basically the same, which can play a role in reducing sympathetic activity.3. Changes in HF show that the respiratory rate between 8 beats/min and 10 beats/min can increase parasympathetic activity, and respiratory rate less than 6 beats/min may make parasympathetic activity lower. It indicates that choosing the method of respiration for relaxation, the respiratory rate from 6 beats/min to 10 beats/ min is more appropriate than others.